- #1
Anithadhruvbud
- 84
- 6
I read somewhere that antibiotics can have no effect on Mycoplasma as they do not possesses a cell wall.But How ? Antibiotics should be able to get into the bacteria very easily when there is no cell wall,right ?
Mycoplasma is a type of bacteria that is characterized by its small size and lack of a cell wall. This makes it unique from other bacteria, as most bacteria have a rigid cell wall made of peptidoglycan.
Mycoplasma evolved to lose its cell wall as a way to adapt to its environment. By not having a cell wall, it is able to pass through narrow spaces and invade host cells more easily. This makes it a successful pathogen.
Although Mycoplasma does not have a cell wall, it has a plasma membrane that serves as a barrier to protect the cell and regulate what enters and exits. It also has a cytoskeleton made of proteins that helps maintain its shape and structure.
The absence of a cell wall in Mycoplasma means that it is not susceptible to certain antibiotics that target the cell wall, such as penicillin. This makes it difficult to treat infections caused by Mycoplasma. However, it also makes it a potential candidate for use in biotechnology and genetic engineering due to its ability to easily incorporate foreign DNA.
Yes, Mycoplasma can be harmful to humans as it is known to cause various infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and sexually transmitted diseases. It is also linked to chronic diseases such as arthritis and chronic fatigue syndrome.